Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for gastric varices: a feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical feasibility of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BORTO) for gastric varices.


METHODS
BORTO was performed in 14 patients with gastric varices due to liver cirrhosis. The gastric varices were confirmed by endoscopy, and their feeding and draining veins were identified by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and angiography. A 6 Fr Simmons-shaped balloon catheter was inserted into the gastrorenal shunt. The balloon was inflated, and 5% ethanolamine oleate iopamidol was infused slowly through the catheter. Patients were followed up with endoscopy and enhanced CT at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure and every 6 months thereafter.


RESULTS
The gastric varices completely disappeared in 12 of 14 patients and was partially resolved in the remaining 2 patients. Neither a recurrence nor an aggravation of gastric varices were found. No major complications were experienced.


CONCLUSIONS
BORTO is a safe and effective treatment for gastric varices.
Sonomura
T
T
Department of Radiology, Wakayama Medical College, 27 Banchi, 7 Bancho, Wakayama City 640, Japan.
Sato
M
M
Kishi
K
K
Terada
M
M
Shioyama
Y
Y
Kimura
M
M
Suzuki
K
K
Kutsukake
Y
Y
Ushimi
T
T
Tanaka
J
J
Hayashi
S
S
Tanaka
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome